Simeri’s Italian Restaurant opens in Geist (10410 Olio Road, McCordsville, IN 46040) after much anticipation from area neighbors and a growing following on their facebook page.

Arec Simeri – who owns the restaurant with his father, Danny, and his brother, Christopher, with sister, Anna, managing the bar — is no stranger to restaurants using social media. The first-time restaurant owner worked at Scotty’s Lakehouse prior to opening his own place. The Simeri family has also been in the restaurant business for several decades with pizza shops in northern Indiana.

“We kept hearing how this area needed an authentic Italian restaurant,” says Arec. “So we’re opening just that with some of great grandmother’s – “Nanna’s” — recipes that were brought over from Italy.”

The result is a relaxed restaurant/bar with tables covered in checkerboard tablecloths and a menu of pasta, pizza, and sandwiches including the crowning jewel of the kitchen, “Rocco’s Meatball Sub,” named after yet another relative. “Its covered in our special marinara sauce,” says Arec. “You gotta try it!”

The Simeri family also takes pride in their beer selection which features several local producers such as “Three Floyds Brewing” and seasonals from Sun King.

While I was visitng Simeri’s, several stopped in to check it out; and one guest requested a gift certificate. “We don’t have any printed up yet,” explained Arec, who thought for a moment and then had another response. “But, if you give me a minute, I will make you one!”
Now that’s the local feel you want from a neighborhood Italian restaurant.